Container tear strip remover



Aug. 14, 1956 c, BRQCKETT 2,758,746

' CONTAINER TEAR STRIP REMOVER Filed April 27, 1953 FIG 4 INVENTOR.

GAR/POLL E. BROGKETT United States Patent CONTAINER TEAR STRIP REMOVER Carroll E. Brockett, Greenwich Township, Huron County, Ohio Application April '27, 1953, Serial No. 351,245

2 Claims. (Cl. 220-52 This invention pertains to the opening of metal containers of the tear-strip type and, more particularly, to a guide for assisting in the coiling of such strip as it is torn from the container.

Containers or cans of the type to which this invention pertains normally have a continuous narrow band of metal around the sides which may be readily removed by a tearing action so that the cover of the can may be removed and access be had to the contents. Normally, this band has a small exposed tongue at one end which is fitted into a slot of a slotted key. The handle of the key extends beyond one end of the can and by turning the key, the band of metal may be readily coiled thereon until the entire strip has been removed.

In opening cans of this character with slotted keys, difiiculty is frequently encountered owing to the fact that the reel or coil of the winding band often slips to one side or the other, thus making the job of removing the band extremely ditficult. This action will occur whether or not care is exercised during this coiling operation. Many times it is necessary to uncoil the band and start over again with the same difficulty repeating itself. Otherwise, it is necessary to cut the strip, find a new key and start the operation over again.

As the edges of this band of metal are normally extremely sharp, cuts to the operator often happen. Also, diificulty is often experienced with the can slipping from the hands of the operator during the efforts to insure that the band winds evenly.

Devices for assisting householders in the opening of such types of cans have been previously proposed, none of which have been particularly successful. Generally, such devices are unduly intricate in shape, requiring expensive manufacturing techniques such as molding, casting or fabricating from several individual pieces of metal or the like.

Also, such devices have been unduly bulky and have dimensions such that if shipped with the can itself, the cans cannot successfully be stacked in a shipping carton. In this respect, it will be appreciated that cans of this type normally have a lip extending beyond the end cover of the can and it is in the space between the outer side of this cover and the edge of the lip that the present key is now positioned and in which space the guide would also have to be positioned. Furthermore, such known devices were diflicult to fasten to the can.

Also, such devices have been difficult to operate, requiring careful manipulation by the operator to prevent the very thing which they attempted to overcome.

The present invention contemplates a tear-strip guide which overcomes all of the above referred to difliculties and is easily operated, economically manufactured and of such a small size as to be readily aifixed to the end of the can cover without interfering with the stacking of the cans in larger cartons.

In accordance with the invention, a guide member is provided which is adapted to coact with a slotted key for the purpose of opening cans having tear strips, the guide being formed of relatively thin sheet metal, including a base and a portion generally at right angles thereto and bent therefrom, the base having an oblong opening of a width slightly greater than the width of the tear strip and a length such as to readily accept the totally coiled length of the tear strip, the right-angled portion extending generally parallel to the length of the opening and having a central passage therethrough through which the key is adapted to extend across the opening.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, preferably a pair of portions, one on each side of the opening, are provided having aligned holes generally midway of the length of the opening of a size to receive and rotatably support the key which is to coact with the tear strip. Such a guide, it has been found, renders it substantially impossible to in any way, and even though trying, wind the tear strip onto the key in a manner such that it will slip off of the coil and cause the ditficulties above referred to.

The right-angled portion is bent from the plane of the base and need have a height only slightly greater than the diameter of the wire from which the key is formed, such right-angled portion or portions providing not only a rotatable bearing for the key but also providing longitudinal rigidity to the guide so that the guide can be made out of a minimum thickness of sheet metal.

The portions may be formed by slotting the opening longitudinally of its length and across the ends and then bending the two portions formed upwardly or the metal of the opening may be stamped out and the right-angled portions bent upwardly from the outer edges of the base. Alternatively, the base may only form the ends of the opening and the right-angled portions forming the sides of the base as well as the bearings for the key and giving the entire guide the longitudinal rigidity needed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the sides of the base on each side of the opening may be slit longitudinally to the length of the opening and then bent alternately upwardly and downwardly to provide the holes for rotatably supporting the key. Such a guide must generally be made of slightly heavier material than are the other guides because of the lack of longitudinal stiffness. The sides of the base may, if desired, be ribbed to provide such strength.

The invention may be used with any known type of slotted key such as one having a closed slot or one having an open-ended slot such that after the tear strip is coiled thereon, the key may be readily removed from the coil and the guide and key again reused.

The invention also contemplates placing a plurality of such guides on an open-ended key so that a householder may have a handy tool for opening cans of the general type to which this invention pertains, regardless of the size of such tear strip.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved guide for the tear strip of metal containers of the type described which is extremely simple in construction, has a minimum vertical dimension, a maximum longitudinal rigidity and which renders it impossible to have difiiculty in the course of removing the tear strip.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a guide member of the type referred to which includes a base portion having an oblong opening and a portion at right angles to the base and extending parallel to the length of the opening having a hole for rotatably journaling a slotted key whereby a tear strip may be readily coiled on the key in the opening.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved guide of the type referred to which can be readily formed by simple stamping operations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of aguide member of the type referred to having a minimum over-all height whereby the member may be readily aflixed to the end of cans. and not interfere with the stacking of such cans.

Other and more specific objects will appear upon a reading and understanding ofpreferred embodiments of this, invention to be set. forth in this specification.

The. invention may be embodied in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will now be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the. accompanying drawings which are a part hereof, and wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a can which is opened by tearing a strip from the sides. thereof showing a guide in operative relationship therewith and embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a, perspective. view of the guide of Figure l and showing the key in operative. relationship therewith;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 taken approximately on the line 3-3 thereof but with the key removed;

Figure 4 is. a. top. elevational view of a blank from which the. guide. of Figures 1, 2 and 3 may be made and showing the cutting and bending lines for the upstanding portions;

Figure 5 is a side. cross-sectional view of a container showing a key with the guide of they present invention mounted on the end of a can;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a guide with a slightly different form of key associated therewith and illustrating a modification of the preferred embodiment;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of still further forms which. the invention may take; and

Figure 10 is a top elevational view of a householders tool which may be used repeatedly to remove the tear strips on different-sized cans.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the invention is shown in the form of preferred embodiments, not for the purposes of limiting, but for the purpose of illustrating same, Figure 1' shows atypical can or container of the type to which the present invention particularly pertains. The can shown consists of cylindrical side walls 10 and a cover 11 with the side walls extending beyond the end of the cover to form a lip 12 and are joined with the cover by any suitable means not shown but, generally, by folding the side walls. back over a lip on the cover 11. The side walls 10' are provided adjacent to but spaced from the cover 11 with a narrow tear strip 13 as is conventional in this type of can, which tear strip 13 normally has a small tongue at one end, not shown, by which a slotted key may be engaged with the strip and by which the strip may be removed by coiling it upon the slotted key 14.

In the embodiment ofthe invention shown in Figure l,

the key 14 is shown with a partially coiled tear strip 15' coacting with a guide A formed in accordance with the present invention.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, the guide A is shown as being comprised of a generally flat base member 21 having a central opening 22 generally rectangular in shape, the base 21' being comprised of a pair of spaced side members 23 integrally joined at the ends by a pair of spaced end members 24, which members, as shown, define a rectangularly shaped opening 22'. Formed integral with the base and extending longitudinally of the length of the opening22, are a pair of upstanding rib-like members 26 extending generally parallel. to the length of the opening 22 and, in this, embodiment ofthe invention, in fact, defining the sides. of the opening 22. These rib members 24 have aligned holes 27 generally midway of the length of the opening 22 into which the shank 28 of the key 14 is adapted: to. be. rotatably supported.

In. accordance: with the invention; the guide A is preferably made from, a single flat sheet of metal with the rib members 26 being bentfrom the plane of the base 21 by any suitable manufacturing technique. The lower side of the hole 27 is preferably generally just tangential with the upper side of the portions 23 and has a diameter to just receive the shank of the key 14. The overall vertical height of the rib members is preferably held to a minimum, the over-all height being determined by the amount of metal which must remain in the rib member above the holes 27 to prevent the forces imposed on the guide A when it is being used from rupturing the upper side wall of the hole 27. In some instances, it would be permissible to lower the over-all height of the rib members 26 such that the holes 27 would, instead, just be slots. It will be appreciated that, in such event, as the key M is turned, there is a force tending to draw it toward the surface of the can and this same force would tend to hold it in the slots if such were used. It is preferred, however, that the rib members 26 have a suflicient height that the hole 27 be completely closed so that. the key 14 cannot possibly become disengaged from the guide A during the process of coiling; the tear strip 13.

As will be seen more clearly from Figures 1 and 2, it is preferred that the ends 2.4 of the base. each. be given a slight upward curvature or bias and the corners of the. base may be rounded so as to prevent the guide A from digging into the sides 1'9 of the can and, thus, making the problem of removal of the tear strip 13 difficult.

The width of the opening 22 may be as desired but must, of course, be somewhat wider than the width of the tear strip 13' but must, at all times, be less than twice the width of this tear strip. Preferably, the width of the opening 22 should be greater than the width of the tear strip 13 by an amount of from /6 to /3 the width of. the tear strip.

In operation, the key 1'4 assembled with the guide A as shown in Figure 2 is placed. on the can and the tongue end of the tear strip 13. is placed in the slot of the key 14. The key 14 is then rotated in a direction to wind the tear strip 13 onto the key 14. During the course of this operation, the operator need only turn the key. There is no need to observe his operation or to use any kind of care- In fact, using the guide shown in Figure 1 and deliberately cocking the key 14 relative to the axis of the coil 15,, it has been found impossible to have any difiiculty in the coiling of the tear strip 13. The strip is wound onto the key in a neat, tight helix which does not have sharp edges and which is readily coiled until the entire periphery of the. can has been covered.

As stated, it is preferred that the guide A be manufactured of relatively thin sheet metal. The use of such thin sheet metal is readily possible with the present invention because the rib members 26 being at an angle to the plane of the base 21 give to the base a very substantial degree of longitudinal rigidity, it being practically impossible to in any way bend the guide A along the line transverse to the longitudinal dimension during the course of removing the tear'strip.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1', 2 and 3 is readily manufactured. from stock meta-l having a minimum external dimension and which produces a minimum of scrap metal during the. manufacturing operation. The blank from which the guide of Figures. I to- 3 may be manufactured is more clearly shown in Figure 4. Thus, in the course of manufacture, a blank corresponding to the external dimensions of the guide'Ai's formed. The holes 27 may then be punched or drilled. During this same punching operation, transverse slits 3'0 and a longitudinal slit 31 are formed in the blank; The slits 30 willdefine the: ends of the opening. 22. The slit- 3-1 will define the upper edges of the rib members 26. After this slitting is done, the portions formed are bent upwardly as shown in- Figure 3 to form the opening: 22'v with: the upstanding rib members 26.

With this method of manufacture, practicallyno scrap" is produced, except for. the. metal removed to produce: the holes 27. Also, the sides. ofv the opening 22' have. a. substantial vertical dimension; that is to say, a flat surface which can readily guide the coiling of the tear strip 13.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the can of Figure 1 somewhat schematically, but showing the guide A assembled with the key 14 and mounted on the end or cover of the can 11 by spot welding the key 14 to the cover 11 at the point 35. It will also be noted that the upper edge of the guide A is below the upper edge of the lip 12. Thus, any number of cans may be stacked, one upon the other, without the guide A in any way interfering with this stacking. It will be appreciated that, if desired, the key and guide could be mounted separately on the end of the can; in which event, the guide would be spot welded to the cover of the can by any known or suitable means.

Figure 6 shows a slightly modified embodiment of the invention in that the ribbed members 26, instead of defining the longitudinal side walls of the opening 22, are spaced therefrom and are bent upwardly from the outer edges of the sides of the base 23. With such a construction, it is possible to have the ribs 26 extend the entire length of the guide A and give to the ends 24' a stiffening action such as the ribs 26 of the preferred embodiment give to the sides 23 of the base. In this embodiment of the invention, a key 14 having a closed slot 40 is shown. This slot is formed in a central portion of the shank of the key which has been flattened by a pressing operation substantially as shown at 41. Obviously, the holes 27' in the ribs 26' to receive this key 14' must have at least one dimension large enough so that the portion 41 can be readily passed therethrough and the key assembled with the guide.

Figure 7 shows a still further modified embodiment of the invention wherein the sides of the opening 22 are defined by vertical upstanding rib members 46 having aligned openings 47 midway of the length of the opening 22 for the purpose described with reference to the preferred embodiment. The opening is defined at its ends by end members 48 integrally joined with the rib members 46 at the ends thereof. The guide of Figure 7 may be made in a similar manner as was that of the preferred embodiment by stamping out a blank to the desired and necessary shape with the opening 22 and then bending the rib members 46 upwardly while allowing them to remain integrally joined with the end members of the base 48. In this embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated that, in efiect, the side members 23 and the rib members 26 of the preferred embodiment have been combined into one; namely, the upstanding members 46, these members now performing the dual function of integrally connecting the ends 48, providing the longitudinal stability to the guide member, rotatably supporting the key 14 and defining the sides of the opening 22.

Figure 9 shows a still further modified form of the invention which, while not the preferred form, is one which the invention can take and still be operative. In this embodiment of the invention which is quite similar to that of Figure 3, only one upstanding rib member 26 has been provided. Otherwise, the guide remains the same in construction as that of Figure 3. Normally, in constructing the embodiment of Figure 9, the metal which would have formed the second rib 26 will be wasted and thrown away as scrap. Therefore, it is preferred that the guide be constructed as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 8 shows a still further modified embodiment of the invention and comprises a base having the central longitudinal rectangular-shaped opening 22 defined on the ends by end members 51 and, on the sides, by side members 52. The side members 52 have longitudinally extending slits 53 dividing the side members into two short parallel extending portions 54 and 55 generally at the middle of the length thereof. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the portion 54 is bent upwardly and the portion 55 is bent downwardly in both side members 52 to provide aligned openings through which the shank 28 of the key 14 may readily extend and be rotatably supported.

The guide of Figure 8 has an over-all height which is less than the over-all height of the guide shown in the other figures, this height being normally the diameter of the shank of the key plus twice the thickness of the metal making up the guide plus any clearance between the shank of the key and the sides of the opening formed by bending the portions 54 and 55 upwardly and downwardly respectively. It will be appreciated that in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the longitudinal strength provided by the rib members 26 will not be present and, normally, the material from which the member of Figure 8 must be made should be somewhat heavier than that of the other embodiment. On the other hand, it will be appreciated that the sides 52 could be arched or formed in the shape of a V in transverse cross section to give such longitudinal rigidity and strength.

It will also be appreciated that the portion 55 should be allowed to remain flat; that is, in the same plane as that of the remainder of the side members 52 while the portion 54 is bent a corresponding additional amount so as to provide the space for the shank of the key. With such a construction and assuming that the embodiment of Figure 8 were substituted for the embodiment shown in Figure 5, it will be appreciated that the guide would, except for the portions 54, lie perfectly fiat on the top of the lid 11.

The key 14 may have any desired shape or construction. The key shown in Figures 1 and 2 is generally formed of half-wound wire with the wire being formed with a central loop and having two parallel but slightly spaced portions to form the shank 28 with the slot therebetween to receive the tongue of the tear strip 13. Alternatively, the key can be made as shown in Figure 6 wherein a closed slot 40 is provided. With the key of Figure 2, however, it will be appreciated that once a coil tear strip 15 is on the key, the coil may be readily removed by simply pulling the key axially of the helical coil. This is not possible with the key shown in Figure 6. With the key shown in Figure 2, it will be appreciated that the same guide can be used and reused without difiiculty, the only thing thrown away being the coiled tear strip.

Figure 10 shows a handy householders tool whereby the present invention may be used in the household to remove the tear strip from cans or containers in the event that the guide supplied by the manufacturer with the can is lost or otherwise misplaced, which tool can be readily used and reused. In Figure 10, a key is shown having a handle 60 and a shank 61, which shank 61 has a longitudinal slot 62 in the end thereof. Mounted on the shank 61 are a plurality of guides A, each of a different size and having difierent-size openings 22 therein whereby a householder can readily open any size can having any size or width of tear strip. The slot 62 in this embodiment of the invention is shown extending only a short distance. It will be appreciated that it could be made to extend the entire length of the shank 61. The slot 62 is shown as extending the entire length of the shank 61. When the householder desires to use the tool, he selects the proper size guide, places it in position on the can, engages the tongue of the tear strip in the slot 62 and commences to turn the key as above described. When the tear strip has been entirely coiled onto the key, the key is simply withdrawn from the various guides assembled thereon and the coiled tear strip thrown away. The guides A may then be reassembled with the key. It will be appreciated that, if desired, the portions on both sides of the slot 62 at the end of the shank 61 can be biased outwardly to prevent accidental removal of the various guides from the key.

The present invention has proven to be an extremely serviceable item, rendering it extremely easy for the modern housewife to open cans of the tear-strip type without in any way endangering themselves to injury by cuts or the like from the sharp edges of the tear strip. The guide is extremely simple in construction and is most economically manufactured by either a single or double stamping operation as is conventional andwell known in the metal-manufacturing art. The guide has a minimum of bulk and is not made up of a plurality of fabricated parts which must be eventually assembled.

It will be appreciated that modifications and alterations of the preferred embodiment shown will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification; It is my intention to include all such modification-s and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A can tear strip remover, comprising an elongated base plate having an elongated rectangular opening extending longitudinally therein for passing a tear strip therethrough when the base plate is positioned against acontainer wall, a pair of flanges extending upwardly substantially perpendicularly from said base plate in substantially parallel relationship, said flanges being disposed on opposite sides of said opening and having aligned keyreeeiving passages therein journaling a slotted tear strip removing key with its axis extending transversely of said opening and perpendicular to said flanges, said flanges substantially defining the opposite side edges of said opening and being spaced from each other a distance slightly greater than the width of the tear strip to freely receive the tear strip therebetween and guide the convolutions thereof uniformly as they are wound on the key, at least one end of said base plate being upturned out of the plane of said plate.

2. A can tear strip remover, comprising a base plate having an opening therein for passing a tear strip therethrough when the base plate is positioned against a container wall, a pair of flanges extending upwardly substantially perpendicularly from said base plate in substantially parallel relationship, said flanges being disposed on opposite sides of said opening and having aligned key-receiving passages therein journaling a slotted tear strip removing key with its axis extending across said opening and perpendicular to said flanges, said flanges substantially defining the opposite side edges of said opening and being. spaced from each other a distance slightly greater than the width of the tear strip to freely receive the tear strip therebetween and guide the con-volutions thereof uniformly as they are wound on the key, at least one end of said base plate being upturned out of the plane of said plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 97,133 Swan Nov. 23, 1869 862,892 Fleming Aug. 13, 1907 897,255 Koch Aug. 25, 1908 933,745 Carlson Sept. 14, 1909 1,024,830 Cook Apr. 30, 1912 1,199,790 Holcomb Oct. 3, 1916 1,313,645 Simon Aug. 19, 1919 2,572,820 Schluter Oct. 23, 1951 2,660,331 Inman Nov. 24, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 372,324 Germany Mar. 26, 1923 

